In a forceful statement, the Presidency questioned the value of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa's international trips as the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament.
In the statement, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, asked, "In fact, one may be tempted to ask just what benefit our nation has derived from Hon. Ablakwa's foreign trips as Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, ostensibly to 'inspect' Ghana's Foreign Missions.
He made this remark in reaction to a recent tweet made by the North Tongu MP about the itinerary for President Akufo-trip Addo's to Belgium and Kigali, Rwanda.
On June 23, Mr. Ablakwa charged President Akufo-Addo of having spent $480,000 on a recent trip to Belgium and Kigali for a Pan-African Vaccine. There is no "justification whatsoever for the terrible insensitivity of President Akufo-Addo," the North Tongu MP said, notwithstanding the Office of the President's denial of these charges in a statement.
The Presidency, in response, asserted that, in contrast to Okudzeto Ablakwa's trips, the President's have been of enormous service to the nation in a fresh statement.
The Presidency observed that the President's recent journey to Belgium and Rwanda resulted in Ghana receiving financial support from the European Investment Bank for the foundation of the Development Bank and the development of a vaccine production facility in Ghana.
It is significant that the President's efforts have led to the development of a vehicle and the means necessary to offer long-term financing for the private sector in Ghana, a problem that has plagued the nation for the larger part of the 4th Republic.
"Is Hon. Ablakwa implying that the establishment of a vaccine production facility is not necessary for Ghana's development? According to President Kufuor, it appears that he understands the worth of nothing and the expense of everything.
The country has profited from various bilateral and multilateral programmes, such as the Year of Return initiative, in addition to the financial advantages of the President's visits, it was further said.
and Accra's hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
But it is unavoidably an uncomfortable reality for people like Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Therefore, it is sad that Hon. Ablakwa would make such a snide remark as that the President travels to "meet me there."
"With all due respect, such type of rhetoric devalues any discussion of these issues. The entire US Congressional Black Caucus and the Speaker of the US Congress visited Ghana as a result of the President's alleged "meet-me-there," which also inspired Africans in the Diaspora to visit Ghana, where some have chosen to establish second homes.
It has introduced Ghana's first Google Artificial Intelligence Center to the continent, which is collaborating with 84 young Ghanaian start-ups led by young entrepreneurs. Additionally, it brought the Twitter headquarters for Africa to Ghana and assembly plants for Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, and Sinotruk, with Isuzu shortly to come, according to the Presidency.
The President's trips are significant, and the Presidency further emphasised its unhappiness in the Former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in the statement.
Stranger still is the strong sense I get from Hon. Ablakwa that he doesn't seem to understand that a major responsibility of the President is to travel, participate in economic and political diplomacy, and present the nation's image overseas, especially It has introduced Ghana's first Google Artificial Intelligence Center to the continent, which is collaborating with 84 young Ghanaian start-ups led by young entrepreneurs. Additionally, it brought the Twitter headquarters for Africa to Ghana and assembly plants for Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, and Sinotruk, with Isuzu shortly to come, according to the Presidency.
The Presidency also lamented the Former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs' incapacity to recognise the significance of the President's visits in order to maximise its investment potential in the statement. It's sad that, despite being a current MP and former Deputy Minister, he doesn't seem to understand this.
"I have no doubt that the Ghanaian people do. Presidential planes are not intended to give presidents opulent lives.